January 8th, 2018 — IGNITE

Ever have one of those times when things were very tense? You know, you were on the edge of your seat… biting your nails… a bucket of nerves.

Maybe it was when you were waiting for the report from the doctor, after some test. You know, you weren’t feeling all that well, so you thought you’d go to the doctor and have have him check you out. They ran a bunch of test, and we’ve all heard the stories, because everyone tells us about their dad, or their friend, who had the same symptoms and then got the worst news ever. So you sit by the phone waiting for it to ring to hear the ghastly diagnosis.

Or you hear the buzz around the office that there are going to be some people who are going to be losing their jobs because of cutbacks. You know it’s only a matter of time, but something inside of you wants to hold on to great hope, but you also know you’re probably going to be getting the axe.

It’s at times like these your appetite is gone… you don’t sleep much… your emotions are raw… your own edge all of the time. You wonder what you’re going to do? You start making plans even before anything has gone down, because you want to be proactive instead of reactive. You pray, but there are no immediate answers. Any of this sound familiar?

I ask those questions because of what I read in Genesis 22. To me, this is a very tense chapter of the Bible. Abraham has waited till he was 100 years old to have a son born to him, the son God promised, who would be his inheritance, and the lifeline to a great nation.

But God wanted to see what Abraham was made of and the Bible tells us…
“God tested Abraham…” Genesis 22:1 NASB

He told him to take his son to a designated place, and to offer him as a sacrifice. Instead of questioning, instead of arguing, instead of complaining, Abraham loads up his donkey with some firewood, other provisions, a couple of servants, his son, and makes the journey. I’m pretty sure there wasn’t much talking along the way. There was no, “Hey dad, tell me about the time…” Silence sometimes has an eerie feeling.

But Abraham followed through on what God told him to do. Even when his son finally spoke up and ask where the sacrifice was, his dad said…
“God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering.” Genesis 22:8 NASB

Here’s my word of encouragement for you today: Abraham trusted God even when he couldn’t see what was happening. Abraham knew God would provide, do you? I pray you do know that God will never leave you or forsake you. He will never abandon you or forget about you. God will always provide! You can trust Him!

Father,
When I can’t see, help me believe. In Jesus name I ask this, Amen.